The Supreme Court paved the way on Thursday for President Yoweri Museveni to seek a sixth term in office, upholding a ruling to scrap presidential age limits.
The Supreme Court dismissed a challenge by Museveni’s opponents, who had appealed against a constitutional court ruling that removed an age cap of 75 for presidential contenders.
“This appeal therefore fails,” Chief Justice Bart Katureebe declared in handing down the court’s majority 4-3 verdict.
The decision allows Museveni — who has ruled the country since seizing power at the head of a rebel army in 1986 — to seek re-election in polls due in 2021.
Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana declared the verdict “a big win for Uganda”.
“We are elated. This is a sign of how democracy has taken root in our country,” he said.
However, Mr. Male Mabirizi, the main petitioner of this case, has vowed to continue the war against bad laws in the country.
Mr. Mabirizi said there is a big war ahead and urged Ugandans to get ready for it.
“I have not lost. There’s a big war we’re fighting. Viewers think we’ve lost but we’ve lost a battle but the war continues,” said Mr. Mabirizi while appearing on NBS TV political talk show, Frontline on Thursday evening.
A bill removing presidential age limits was signed into law in December 2017 after a chaotic passage through parliament that saw MPs engaging in fisticuffs.
DP president Norbert Mao and FDC vice president for eastern region Salaamu Musumba praised Mabirizi’s tenacity.
“It is good we have Male Mabirizi here, we need active citizenship. Your presence here is a clear message for people not to sleep on their rights. Everyone can do something,” said Mr. Mao.
“I heard the judge lecturing you (Mabirizi) about your qualifications but to me, the highest level of qualification is citizenship. I had very low expectations. It’s about our commitment as the so-called opposition to have a peaceful process. From now, the message should be clear that none of us is planning violence. We’ve chosen a peaceful path. It is not over until it’s over. There’s a court higher than the Supreme court, the People’s Court,” he added.
Mr. Mao also urged Parliament to begin exercising Independence or else the public will take away power from the MPs.
“As to whether parliament can redeem its image, it’s totally in their hands. If you’re to be a people’s house, stop looking at parliament as a place for the Executives. Either MPs take back parliament or we the people come and take it back.
There are certain things that can happen in an institution that can diminish or make it, parliament is a people’s house. These days, security officers even have the temerity to ask you what your work is at the parliament,” he said.
